Islam merits a person with patience with a high rank because having patience during hardship is considered a sign of true faith. That, the rewards for such an act are countless. The concept of patience is deeply ingrained in Islamic teachings. It is seen as a means of attaining spiritual growth, inner peace, and closeness to Allah.
The Quranic perspective on patience is clear:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
“We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure—” [1]
This verse emphasizes that everyone will face trials and tribulations. Still, those who remain patient through these hardships will be rewarded with Allah’s blessings and mercy.
Taqwa and Patience
Patience is not just about enduring difficult times with a passive attitude. Still, it involves actively striving to remain steadfast in one’s faith and trust Allah. It is how the Taqwa of a person is developed and strengthened. It is a conscious effort to maintain a positive attitude, despite the challenges that one may face. It doesn’t matter how much difficult the situation or circumstances are, patience in such matters always leads to Taqwa and earns blessings.
In a hadith narrated by Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri:
“Some Ansari persons asked for (something) from Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h), and he gave them. They again asked him for (something), and he again gave them. And then they asked him, and he gave them again till all that was with him finished. And then he said, “If I had anything. I would not keep it away from you. (Remember) Whoever abstains from asking others, Allah will make him contented. Whoever tries to make himself self-sufficient, Allah will make him self-sufficient. And whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience.” [2]
The Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) example demonstrates the value of patience in Islam. Despite the various challenges he faced during his life, his Taqwa was unmatched. His innumerable losses included losing his beloved wife Khadijah, having his message rejected and persecuted by his people, and having to endure the trials of Medina’s early Islamic history. He persevered, nonetheless, and kept his faith unwavering. Even to those who had wronged him, he persisted in sharing the love and compassion of Islam.
If we want to have a high rank in the afterlife then we must adhere towards being patient. Allah indeed sends His bounties to those who are patient. Patience can help a person develop inner strength, resilience, and the ability to face challenges positively. It can also feel calm and inner peace, even during difficult circumstances. Similarly, we can see the example of Prophet Yusuf (A.S), who observed patience and had Taqwa:
قَالُوٓا۟ أَءِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ يُوسُفُ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا۠ يُوسُفُ وَهَـٰذَآ أَخِى ۖ قَدْ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْنَآ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ مَن يَتَّقِ وَيَصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِين
They replied ˹in shock˺, “Are you really Joseph?” He said, “I am Joseph, and here is my brother ˹Benjamin˺! Allah has truly been gracious to us. Surely whoever is mindful ˹of Allah˺ and patient, then certainly Allah never discounts the reward of the good-doers.” [3]
Furthermore, patience can also help a person to develop a deeper connection with Allah. People can create a closer relationship with Him when they remain patient through hardships and turn to Allah for strength and guidance. Through patience and perseverance, people can learn to trust Allah’s plan for their lives and surrender their will to His.
Rewards of Having Patience in Hardship
In Islam, patience is a crucial attribute that is highly regarded and rewarded by Allah. The need of patience is emphasized throughout the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace be upon him) Sunnah, which also rewards people who exhibit it. Patience is a strategy for overcoming challenges and achieving spiritual development, inner tranquility, and a closer relationship with Allah. We’ll talk about the benefits of patience in Islam in this essay.
Mercy and Love of Allah
To be eligible for Allah’s rewards and blessings we should practice patience during the times of hardship. With such acts of resilience, Allah will love us more. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ) 0 ( ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌۭ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ ) 0 (أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَٰتٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌۭ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُهْتَدُونَ )0
“We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure— who, when faced with a disaster, say, “Surely to Allah, we belong, and to Him, we will ˹all˺ return.” They are the ones who will receive Allah’s blessings and mercy. And it is they who are ˹rightly˺ guided.” [4]
Getting your Sins Forgiven
In a hadith reported by Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” [5]
This hadith highlights that even the slightest difficulty or hardship can result in the forgiveness of their sins. It emphasizes the importance of remaining patient and accepting problems to earn Allah’s forgiveness.
Increased rewards in the afterlife
Allah promises great rewards for those who practice patience in the afterlife. In Surah Az-Zumar, Allah says:
قُلْ يَـٰعِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌۭ ۗ وَأَرْضُ ٱللَّهِ وَٰسِعَةٌ ۗ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّـٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍۢ
Say, ˹O Prophet, Allah says˺, “O, My servants who believe! Be mindful of your Lord. Those who do good in this world will have a good reward. And Allah’s earth is spacious. Only those who endure patiently will be given their reward without limit.” [6]
This verse highlights that those who remain patient in the face of difficulties will be rewarded in the afterlife with a reward without measure. This verse reminds us that the challenges and hardships we face in this life are temporary, and the valid reward is in the afterlife.
Increased faith and closeness to Allah
Patience is a means of increasing faith and achieving closeness to Allah. Do we not trust in Allah to make our situation better? Do we not have Taqwa that Allah will make things alright? Allah is all-powerful. His superiority is unmatched. That is why, whenever faced with a difficult situation, faith in Allah is a must otherwise, it is seen as a sign of weak faith. The Lord helped Prophet Yunus (A.S) from the stomach of the whale. He helped Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) when he was sent into the fire. Allah (SWT) takes care of the ones who trust in Him. We all rely on His deity and having patience during such difficult times, we are submitting to Allah which helps forge a deeper connection with Him. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
“O believers! Seek comfort in patience and prayer. Allah is true with those who are patient.” [7]
Increased wisdom and understanding
The ability to obtain wisdom and insight can be attained via challenges and tribulations. If you endure through difficulties, you may think back on your experience and draw lessons from it. Wisdom and insight can grow as a result of this reflection and education. In Surah Al-Ankabut, Allah says:
أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ 0 وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ
“Do people think once they say, “We believe,” that they will be left without being put to the test? We certainly tested those before them. And ˹in this way˺ Allah will clearly distinguish between those who are truthful and those who are liars.” [8]
This verse highlights that difficulties and hardships are a part of life and a means of testing a person’s faith and sincerity. A person can gain knowledge, better understand their talents and shortcomings, and develop a greater appreciation for their benefits through these tests.
Increased blessings in this life
In addition to the rewards in the afterlife, Allah also promises increased blessings in this life for those who practice patience. In Surah Ash-Shrah, Allah says:
فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا 0 (إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًۭا
“So, surely with hardship comes ease. Surely with ˹that˺ hardship comes ˹more˺ ease.” [9]
This verse emphasizes that with every difficulty, there is ease to follow. It is a reminder that Allah will never burden a person with more than they can bear and that there is always hope for relief and comfort.
Exemplary status among the believers
Islam honors and respects individuals who exhibit tolerance and patience in the face of disasters or difficulties. In Surah Al-Hajj, Allah says:
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَهُمْ وَٱلْمُقِيمِى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
“Those whose hearts tremble at the remembrance of Allah, who patiently endure whatever may befall them, and who establish prayer and donate from what We have provided for them.” [10]
This verse emphasizes that those who remain patient in the face of difficulties will be rewarded with blessings from Allah and considered among the rightly guided.
How can we Observe patience?
We all have difficulties and problems sometimes in life since it is unpredictable. Some might be easily solvable while some would push us to our limits. To power through such situations, patience is crucial. By being patient, we may avoid unnecessary blowups and enable ourselves to calmly work through the situation.
Embrace the situation
The first step towards observing patience during hardships is to embrace the situation. This can only be possible if we observe patience and resilience. Trying to fight or resist the situation only adds to our stress and makes coping more challenging.
The Present has our Attention
Past and the future have a way to keep us worried at all times. But if we keep on thinking about what has already passed and what had yet to come, we are straying from the trust and faith we are supposed to keep for the sake of Allah. If we lose patience over such matters, we all chose not to rely on the Supreme, which is wrong. To observe patience during hardships, we must focus on the present moment. That way, whenever we need to be patient, it would be a present that is actually happening instead of images of the past and future.
Seek Allah’s Help
No matter how stuck we are in our difficult situation, it is Allah’s help that we should always seek. We must have faith in the Most Merciful and Most Mighty Allah to provide for us no matter what. It was the faith of our Prophets (peace be upon them) and it should be our faith too. We must always be patient during hardships. That is what patience teaches us, to seek Allah’s help in all matters. Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran:
وَٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلْخَـٰشِعِينَ 0 ٱلَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَـٰقُوا۟ رَبِّهِمْ وَأَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ
“And seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, it is a burden except for the humble— those who are certain that they will meet their Lord and to Him, they will return.” [11]
Display of Positivity
While facing challenges, persistence is best practiced by keeping an optimistic attitude. It’s challenging to dwell on life’s flaws while ignoring our blessings. Nonetheless, cultivating thankfulness may assist us in changing our perspective and discovering delight in the simple things. Allah says in the Quran:
وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌۭ
And remember when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more. But if you are ungrateful, surely My punishment is severe.’” [12]
Stay patient
One can never become patient overnight, except if Allah wills. But to observe patience, we must be ready for the temptations and urges that have surrounded us. It will never be easy but as believers, it is what we must do.
Even though staying patient during hardships is not easy, it is essential to overcome them. Remember that the most significant growth and learning come from difficult times. Staying patient during troubles means being patient with ourselves, others, and the situation. Allah says in the Quran:
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ غُرَفًۭا تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ نِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَـٰمِلِينَ 0 ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
“As for those who believe and do good, We will certainly house them in ˹elevated˺ mansions in Paradise, under which rivers flow, to stay there forever. How excellent is the reward for those who work ˹righteousness!˺— those who patiently endure, and put their trust in their Lord!” [13]
Seek professional help
Seeking expert help is a smart choice if we struggle to manage our difficulties. It’s critical to remember that asking for assistance does not indicate weakness but power. A mental health expert can give us the skills to manage our emotions and deal with situations successfully. They can help us develop coping strategies that work best for us and offer a safe and non-judgmental space to discuss our feelings and concerns.
Conclusion
Having patience in hardship is truly rewarding in Islam. It is highly valued and praised virtue and can bring blessings in this life and the next. A person can develop inner strength, resilience, and a closer relationship with Allah through patience and perseverance.
Understandably, observing patience during hardships is not easy, but it is necessary to overcome them. Practising patience in the face of difficulties is a means of earning Allah’s love and mercy, achieving spiritual growth and inner peace, and gaining wisdom and understanding. It also leads to increased faith, blessings in this life and the afterlife, and an exemplary status among the believers.
Having Patience during Hardship Is Rewarding is a part of our amazing series. To learn more about the guidance given to us by Allah and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), follow our series Time to Revive. By Allah’s will, you shall have increased knowledge and understanding.
By Joweria Shahid
References
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155)
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1469: Book 24, Hadith 71
- Al-Quran (Surah Yusuf 12:90)
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155-157)
- Sahih al-Bukhari 5641, 5642: Book 75, Hadith 2
- Al-Quran (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:10)
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:153)
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:2-3)
- Al-Quran (Surah Ash-Shrah 94:5-6)
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Hajj 22:35)
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:45—46)
- Al-Quran (Surah Ibrahim 14:7)
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:58-59)
